Leslie O’Neal Named to 2018 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Former Oklahoma State defensive lineman Leslie O’Neal is among the candidates listed on the 2018 ballot for entry into the College Football Hall of Fame, which was released on Thursday.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 5.19 million people have played college football and only 987 players have been inducted,” said National Football Foundation President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. So being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are extremely proud to announce their names.”

O’Neal was a two-time All-American pass-rusher and run-stuffer at OSU. By the time his career as a Cowboy expired, he had earned All-Big Eight selections three times and was also named the 1984 Defensive Player of the Year in the process.

Before a 13-year NFL career spent primarily with the San Diego Chargers, O’Neal left OSU as the school leader in career sacks (34), single-season sacks (16), and career tackles for loss (47).

The 2018 Hall of Fame class will be revealed prior to the CFP National Championship in Atlanta on January 8, 2018.

In honor of Leslie O'Neal's appearance on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot. No. 99 is 13th in NFL history with 132.5 sacks. #okstate pic.twitter.com/pJreDkGAG4

— Kevin Klintworth (@KKlintworth) June 1, 2017